How to prepare for IELTS – Speaking?

The speaking test is the last
test you carry out on the examination day or a day specified by the
institute, i.e British Council. You will be given a time slot by the institute
duly.

There are three tasks or
parts to the test which takes the form of an interview lasting between 11 &
14 minutes:

1.Part 1 Introduction & Interview (4-5
minutes)

2.Part 2 Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)

3.Part 3 Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)

4.

The tasks test your ability to
act upon the following functions in English:

• give
personal and non-personal information

• express
& give reason for opinions

• make
suggestions

• speculate

• express
a preference

• make
comparisons & discuss contrasts

• summarize

• relate
personal experiences

• analyze

• repair
conversation & paraphrase

Procedure of the test

The test is taken by one examiner who will
ask all the questions and assesses you. The test is recorded on audio cassette.
You will be taken to the examiner’s room where you will be asked to sit either in
front of or at right angles of the examiner. The examiner will then switch on
the cassette recorder and start the test.

Marking

Your performance will be assessed
on the criteria below:

Fluency & Coherence

Be able to keep going, speak at a normal rate without any unnatural
break and hesitation.

Be able to link ideas and language together clearly so the
examiner understands you.

Lexical Resource

Have the vocabulary which enables you to express yourself
while talking about both familiar and unfamiliar topics or be able to get around
any vocabulary gaps without hesitation.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Be able to use a variety of grammatical structures properly. Make
as few grammatical mistakes as possible. Be understood even though making
grammatical mistakes.

Pronunciation

Be able to use English pronunciation features like stress and accent
naturally. Not causing the examiner any problems in understanding what you are saying. The examiner will give you a score from 1 to 9 for each of
these factors. They will be converted into one final score between 1 and 9.